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🍗 Chicken & poultry

Chicken saltimbocca

Prosciutto, sage, and a very drinkable pan sauce

⏱️ Time estimate: about 45 minutes

Thin chicken cutlets get layered with prosciutto and sage, then pan-seared and finished in a glossy white wine butter sauce that feels restaurant-fancy without being fussy.

Chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto and sage in white wine sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken cutlets, pounded to 1/4-inch thick and cut into smaller pieces if needed
  • 20 large sage leaves
  • 12 pieces prosciutto, about 1/4 pound
  • 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup flour, for dredging
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
  • Toothpicks, as needed to hold the sage in place

Instructions

  1. Layer the cutlets. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Lay prosciutto over each piece, then top with 1 or 2 sage leaves and secure with toothpicks.
  2. Dredge. Coat the chicken lightly in flour and shake off the excess.
  3. Sear the chicken. Heat a large pan to medium. Add a little olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter, then cook the chicken prosciutto-side down until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until just cooked through. Work in batches as needed and transfer the chicken to a rack or plate.
  4. Make the sauce. Add the white wine to the pan and scrape up the browned bits. Let it cook for about 1 minute, then add the chicken stock and reduce until the sauce thickens and reduces by about half, roughly 3 minutes.
  5. Finish with butter. Lower the heat and whisk in the remaining butter. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
  6. Warm the chicken through. Return the chicken to the pan and gently spoon the sauce over for about 2 minutes.
  7. Serve. Sprinkle with parsley and remember to remove the toothpicks before eating.

Little dinner-party note: pounded thin cutlets really are the trick here, both for quick cooking and for that proper saltimbocca feel.